Moderated ruthenium fischer-tropsch synthesis catalyst

Abstract

The subject Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprises moderated ruthenium on an inorganic oxide support. The preferred moderator is silicon. Preferably the moderator is effectively positioned in relationship to ruthenium particles through simultaneous placement on the support using reverse micelle impregnation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catalyst useful for producing C 3  -plus hydrocarbons from hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which catalyst comprises: (i) an inorganic oxide support; (ii) about 0.3-6.0 wt. percent ruthenium present as particles of about 40-60 Angstroms and (iii) about 0.1-5.0 wt. % of a modifier component chosen from the group consisting of aluminum, silicon, lead, arsenic, and bismuth. 
     
     
       2. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein the modifier component comprises silicon. 
     
     
       3. The catalyst of claim 2 wherein the catalyst comprises from 1 to 4.5 wt. percent silicon and 1 to 4.0 wt. percent ruthenium. 
     
     
       4. The catalyst of claim 3 wherein at least 80 wt. percent of the ruthenium present on the catalyst is present as particles of about 40 to 60 Angstroms. 
     
     
       5. The catalyst of claim 4 wherein the inorganic oxide is alumina. 
     
     
       6. The catalyst of claim 4 wherein the inorganic oxide is titania. 
     
     
       7. The catalyst of claim 1 wherein the modifier component shifts the binding energy of the ruthenium by 0.1 to 0.25 electron volts as measured by ESCA. 
     
     
       8. A catalyst for producing hydrocarbons from a feed stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which catalyst comprises (i) an inorganic oxide support, (ii) ruthenium particles having a particle size of about 40-60 Angstroms dispersed upon said support, and (iii) silicon in active contact with the ruthenium particles. 
     
     
       9. The catalyst of claim 8 further characterized in that the catalyst comprises from about 0.1 to 5.0 wt. percent silicon. 
     
     
       10. The catalyst of claim 9 wherein the inorganic oxide support comprises alumina. 
     
     
       11. The catalyst of claim 9 wherein the catalyst comprises about 0.3 to 6 wt. percent ruthenium. 
     
     
       12. The catalyst of claim 9 wherein the catalyst comprises from 1.0 to 4.0 wt. percent ruthenium. 
     
     
       13. The catalyst of claim 12 wherein the silicon shifts the binding energy of the ruthenium component by 0.1 to 0.25 electron volts as measured by ESCA. 
     
     
       14. The catalyst of claim 13 wherein the catalyst comprises from about 1.0 to 4.5 wt. percent silicon.